DP Families

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible growth we’ve seen in our learners this year. From the first day of school to now, our students have made tremendous strides—academically, socially, and emotionally. It has been a joy and a privilege to watch their confidence grow and their curiosity shine.

Please take note of the following important upcoming dates:

• May 9 – Last day to check out library books

• May 16 – Color Games (a fun-filled day of outdoor activities and teamwork!)

• May 23 – Last day of school

• May 25 – High School Graduation at 2:00 p.m. – Come celebrate our graduating seniors!

Next week is Staff Appreciation Week, and we encourage you to join us in showing gratitude to the teachers and staff who have cared for and supported your children all year long. Whether it’s a thank-you note, a kind email, or a small token of appreciation, every gesture means so much.

As we look ahead to summer, we hope your family enjoys a season full of rest, adventure, and learning. Here are a few simple and fun educational ideas to keep your child’s mind active over the break:

• Daily Reading: Visit Brookings Public Library, start a family book club, or set aside quiet reading time each day.

• Math in the Real World: Let your child help with cooking, measuring, or budgeting during shopping trips.

• Science Exploration: Take nature walks, observe wildlife, or try simple experiments at home.

• Writing for Fun: Encourage journal writing, postcards to family, or creative stories.

• Educational Apps & Games: Find age-appropriate learning games that reinforce literacy and math skills.

Thank you for partnering with us throughout the school year. Your support makes all the difference, and we are so proud of all our students' accomplishments. Enjoy your summer, and we can’t wait to see many of you back in the fall!

Warmly,
Sarah Wiebersick
Principal, Dakota Prairie Elementary

To ensure a safe and efficient morning drop-off for all students, we want to remind everyone of the proper drop-off procedures. Recently, we have noticed some issues that have caused unnecessary congestion and delays, and we appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines:

✅ Stay in Your Vehicle – Please remain in your car during drop-off to keep the line moving efficiently. If you would like to get out of your car to help your child(ren) please use the parking lot and then walk your child to the front door.
✅ Pull Forward – To maximize space and keep traffic flowing, pull forward as far as possible before stopping to let your child out.

✅ Handicap Parking Spaces – These spaces are reserved for vehicles with valid handicap permits. Please do not park or stop in these spots unless you are authorized to do so.
✅ No Unattended Vehicles – Vehicles should not be left unattended in the drop-off lane at any time. If you need to park, please use designated parking areas.
✅ Be Ready – Have your child ready to exit the vehicle quickly with their belongings.

Following these simple rules will help ensure a smoother and safer drop-off experience for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a safe and efficient arrival process.

Following these simple rules will help ensure a smoother and safer drop-off experience for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us create a safe and efficient arrival process.If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Morning Drop-Off Options:

Parking and Walking In

• You are welcome to park in the designated parking lot and escort your child to the front doors of the school. Please note that staff will not be available to supervise at the front entrance, as they will be assisting students who arrive without a parent or guardian.

• If you prefer to drop your child off at the curb, please ensure that they are ready to exit the vehicle promptly when you pull up. For the safety and efficiency of all, we ask that parents remain in their vehicles during drop-off. This allows the traffic line to move smoothly and helps us avoid unnecessary delays.

Afternoon Dismissal Options:

Walk

• Learners may walk home if that is what the family has chosen for them to do.

Pick Up

• Families are each assigned a number and given 2 tags for their vehicles. As you drive up your number is announced and your child(ren) walk to where ever you are in the drive up. We fill the first 5-6 cars in each line and run two lines at a time.
• If you need to pick up early please try to have it be before 3:00 or it may be hard to get into the parking lot. People start lining up in the pick up lanes early so you will want to park in the parking lot and walk in to sign your child out. The exit to the parking lot is open until 3:15 so you will have time to leave the parking lot before dismissal begins.

Bus

We appreciate your cooperation in following these procedures to ensure a safe and orderly start and ending to each school day. Thank you for your continued support.

We keep all of our lost and found items in the front entry way so that you can come and look at any time, those doors are unlocked Monday - Friday from 7:30-6pm. Please label your items with your family name and if we find them we will make sure they are returned. Unmarked items are taken to Goodwill after the 20th of each month. We have extra clothes, coats, shoes, boots, etc that we lend out to learners as needed. These items are all marked DP so if they end up at your house please return them to school so that others can borrow them!

May 9 - Last day to check out library books.

May 16 - Color Games

May 23 - Last day of school

May 25 – High School Graduation at 2:00 p.m.

May 26 – Memorial Day May 27 & 28 – Staff Development (May 28 th is the Last Day for Teachers)

Email: Sarah.Wiebersick@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.brookings.k12.sd.us/DakotaPrairie
Location: 111 26th St S, Brookings, SD, USA
Phone: 605-696-4900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DPElementary